Do you ever wonder what is it that makes us do the things we do? I do. I was at the clinic today and someone called me to inquire regarding a patient. The only problem was that due to patient confidentiality, I could not actually help much. This person was quite rude to me over the phone. That set me off wondering. Could this person have had such a bad day that she had to take it out on someone? Then when I came home, I found out that the babysitter had been doing a slip shod job of the babysitting. Thanks to the day at work, I must say I was on a short fuse too. However, I counted to 10 and took several deep breaths. I was then able to sit down calmly and sort the problem out, with both of us feeling happier at the end.

Speaking of which, recently an article of ours came under fire. Coincidentally, it was an article about how to resist our temptations by counting to 10 and taking some deep breaths too. However, another blogger with a weight loss website, obviously did not agree with the article. She went on a rampage of rants and raves. Her article was entitled “There are a lot of idiots out there”.  Actually, she was positively rude to say the least.  There was a lot of name calling and unsubstantiated remarks. Definitely not befitting someone with a “Post Graduate Philosophy Studies under her belt”, as we were told in her blog. We have absolutely no problem with anyone who disagrees with any of our articles, which is why we have a comments section after each blog.  Paramjit, being the perfect gentleman, answered all her concerns. However, there are ways of saying things and there are ways. Professionalism insists that we state our opinions with respect to the other party.

I must say though, that many of our readers were a little put out by some of her comments.  There was a backlash. Here are some of the things they had to say:

Christy: All in all, I think the rudeness above was unfair and unnecessary. It is possible for 2 adults/professionals to have a difference of opinion and not resort to labeling of “ignorant” or “idiotic” and then call it fair! I certainly would not expect it from a person with Post Graduate Philosophy Studies under her belt!

Kksidh: BTW, Louisa, If you had driven 8 miles for a chocolate cake (which I think is absolutely ABSURD) and blamed it on cravings, it just shows your lack of self control. You should have walked that 8 miles …i bet when U reached the store, you would have not wanted that cake that badly …..LOL

Sushil : I would like to share my personal experience. Yes, I have cravings too sometimes, but if I just stop and think whether I really want it and how this will affect my weight loss, I can find 10 reasons to skip the craving. Of course, it may initially be difficult. It helps if you have a goal in mind and you are sure that you are going to attain by keeping to a good diet and exercise. Exercising is not easy. It takes a lot of discipline and effort. I would not want to waste my effort on a piece of cake and I have done it many times.

Debra Mazda : I personally love your blogs and I would not let one women rattle you with this nonsense she wrote. As an exercise physiologist I do think that craving are real but to say that one would sell their first born is saying that we as women have no control or power of what we think. WRONG. First of all I do not recall reading that you were given this as weight loss advice. It is a article and take it for what it is. As a women who has lost 140 pounds many years ago and still has cravings I do believe that taking a deep breathe and waiting or counting to 10 can make you begin to think about wanting that cake. Louisa makes all women sound like we are barbarians going in for the kill and if we do not get the cake we will slaughter those who stop us.

Winnie : I used to be overweight but I am now slim and toned by following Paramjit’s blog and exercises all this time to make sure I look good. So how can you assume that most of the readers are overweight??? Yes this is a weight loss blog, therefore it would consist of many types of readers from overweight to slim. Slim readers follow this too so that we do not become overweight. FYI I have a ring of girl friends (slim and overweight) that read this blog to get advice on how to watch weight efficiently. None of them felt insulted, but even more motivated.

Cleo : It was really irritating to read ur initial responses Louisa. I had lots to say but as i read all the other comments, i noticed the rest of em have said it all and at some point i couldn’t help laughing. Thanks guys.

To be honest, only in your last comment did you sound very mellowed n humble. You didn’t expect so many more intelligent people than you out there, did you? There is a way of arguing. Arguing is an art. But every word of yours sounded like a personal argument. Like you have something against this weight loss blog. You sounded very angry n sensitive n u were getting mighty personal. Jealousy?

Yana: Thank you for all your positive, informative and factual articles till date. Some of the articles have worked wonders for my weight loss. I particularly like this one because it emphasizes on how it’s possible for us to use our mind for self control. I suppose only some ignorant people who do not understand the very basic rule of how the mind control works can arrogantly come in here and condemn this research with absolutely NO FACTS.

Kudos to you on your professionalism in handling such ignorant people who ridicule the research of others by pretending to help but in reality only want to dictate to others what they believe with a closed mind.

Kksidh : I guess Louisa, when you churn out such rubbish comments, a backlash is expected. I had noticed that you promote Diet Pills for weight loss…Is that the kind of advice for weight loss that you give?…We all know that there is no “Magic Pill” …..So what false hopes are you giving your readers ….and you can turn around and say that the above disgusts you ????? Don’t you realize that you are insulting the intelligence of your readers by even suggesting that fix…Looks to me like “There really are lots of Idiots out there” I rest my case.

Well, we rest our case too! In her blog, Louisa indicated that she has been through anorexia and I truly emphatize with her. Could it be this medical ailment which is affecting her weight loss/cravings?  I sincerely hope she will be able to overcome her problem and achieve her weight loss targets. We look forward to comments and feedback from the readers.